Russia

At a Glance

Capital

Moscow

Language

Russian

Population

146,544,710 (2016 est.)

GDP Total

$3.685 trillion (2016 est.)

GDP Per Capita

$25,185 (2016 est.)

Assessing Travel and Visa Obligations

Whether you can travel lawfully as a business visitor or require work authorization depends on the types of activities you will be conducting during your time in Russia. In case you are unsure if your activities constitute business or work, please seek advice from your immigration counsel.

Traveling for Business

What sorts of activities can I pursue as a business visitor?

Business visitors traveling to Russia may engage in the activities below. This list is not comprehensive and other activities may qualify as business.

Attend business meetings

Attend conferences

Develop professional business contacts

Negotiate contracts

If I qualify as a business visitor, do I need a visa for Russia?

Most nationals require a visa to enter Russia to conduct business activities and must obtain it from a Russian Consulate or Embassy, prior to travel. A few select nationals from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) do not require a business visa to enter Russia and conduct business activities.

Nationals of Turkey are officially forbidden to enter Russia for the purposes of conducting business or work activities. Nationals of Georgia may be forbidden to enter Russia for the purposes of conducting business or work activities.

Working in Russia

What sorts of activities require a work permit?

The activities below, whether paid or unpaid, generally constitute work under Russian law. This list is not comprehensive and many other professional activities are considered work in Russia, even if conducted for a short duration.

Hands-on technical work

Repairs and maintenance

Project planning and implementation

Marketing

Consulting

If I am traveling to Russia for work, what type of work permit do I need?

The type of work permit required depends on your qualifications, whether your employer has an entity in Russia, and the nature and duration of your work. The most common Russian work permits are the:

The Technical Support Visa (short-term technical assignment work permit)

Highly Qualified SpecialistWork Permit (highly-skilled work permit)

Quota Work Permit (direct hire work permit)

CIS Nationals Work Patent (for nationals of the Commonwealth of Independent States only)

Nationals of Turkey and in some cases Georgia are officially forbidden to enter Russia for the purposes of conducting work activities.

Are there any nationals who are exempt from work permit requirements?

Nationals of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan or Kyrgyzstan do not require a work permit in Russia.

Registrations or other formalities may be required before these nationals can work or reside in Russia.

What else should I know?

Inevitably, the legal and strategic considerations impacting visa selection or work authorization entail careful consideration of many factors. We recommend that you consult with your immigration counsel before taking any course of action.